『高円寺』という杉並区にある地名・地域の由来となった寺院です。地域としては、高円寺駅を中心に商店街が多く、休日を中心ににぎわっていますが、この寺院は周囲が住宅街であるからか、休日であってもとても静かで、祭事でもない限り訪れる人も少なくひっそりとしています。境内も広くはなく、周遊するだけであれば30分と要しません。無料で拝観できますが、基本的に本堂内に立ち入ることは出来ません。 境内の中央に大きなイチョウの樹が植えられており、晩秋～初冬にかけて、美しい黄色に染まったイチョウの樹を堪能することが出来ます。 境内の西側に鎮座する稲荷社に、見事な龍の彫刻の鳥居があります。双龍鳥居と呼ばれており、東京に3門のうちの一つですが、この鳥居が最も小さいです。 This temple is the origin of the name of the place and area called "Koenji" in Suginami-ku, Tokyo. The area is bustling with shopping streets around Koenji Station, especially on holidays, but this temple is very quiet even on holidays, probably because it is surrounded by residential areas, and few people visit unless there is a festival. The temple precincts are not large, and it takes less than 30 minutes just to walk around. The temple is free to visit, but basically you are not allowed to enter the main hall. A large ginkgo tree is planted in the center of the temple precincts, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful yellow color of the ginkgo tree from late fall to early winter. The Inari Shrine, located on the west side of the temple precincts, has a torii gate with two magnificent dragon carving. Known as the twin dragon torii, it's one of three gates in Tokyo, but this torii is the smallest.

Go for a visit here, take in the beautiful and peaceful temple ambience and then go to the Cafe Baron and get the Beef curry with a drink of your choice. The owner owns all the owls and they perch themselves along the back wall of the cafe. Eat the delicious food and admire the beautiful owls as they watch you. You can't touch the owls, but there's something peaceful about just watching them and admiring their majestic beauty. Go at 11a when the cafe opens (closed on Wed) or you run the risk of the cafe being full. There is no time limit and there are only 7 or 8 seats.